Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby condemns ‘deceitful populists’

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said that God brought “more freedom than all Earth’s most powerful leaders”GARETH FULLER/PA

The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken out against “populist leaders that deceive their people” in a Christmas Day sermon that made reference to Star Wars and Harry Potter to deliver a message about freedom and humility.

The Archbishop arrives for the Christmas Day service at Canterbury CathedralGareth Fuller/Press Association

The greatest freedom that people could enjoy came from God’s love expressed through the birth of Jesus Christ, the Most Rev Justin Welby said at Canterbury Cathedral.

He said that God brought “more freedom than all Earth’s most powerful leaders”, adding: “In 2017, we have seen around the world tyrannical leaders that enslave their peoples, populist leaders that deceive them, corrupt leaders that rob them, even simply democratic, well-intentioned leaders of many parties and countries who are normal, fallible human beings.”

He did not refer to any world leaders…

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